Who am I?

When Ed Markey passed the most sweeping judicial reform legislation in the history of Massachusetts as a freshman state representative, the powerful interests who controlled the chamber moved his desk out into the hall. It was the first time Ed Markey showed his courage in political office, but it wouldn’t be the last. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 as one of its youngest members, Ed has gone on to establish a strong progressive record by standing up for families, fighting the special interests and making an important difference for Massachusetts.
Now Ed is running for the U.S. Senate — but he’s never forgotten where he comes from and who he represents.
Ed is from Malden. His father drove a truck for the Hood Milk Company and worked his way up to supervisor. His mother graduated first in her high school class, but left school to care for her sisters after their mother’s death. On Townsend Street in Malden, Ed’s mother and father taught him the values that still guide him today: fairness, honesty, integrity, and giving back to your community.
Since his election to Congress, Ed has been a national leader on energy and environmental issues. He stood up to BP when it caused the worst offshore oil spill in American history. He worked successfully to increase fuel economy standards to save consumers money at the gas pump and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. In 2009, Ed co-authored the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act — landmark legislation to protect our environment and invest in clean energy. It is the only piece of legislation to combat global warming ever to pass a chamber of Congress.

Whether you are a consumer or an entrepreneur seeking to compete in a free marketplace, you will have a champion in Ed Markey. He has been a staunch advocate for consumers, taking on monopolies in the cable television, telephone, and electricity markets. His deep knowledge of telecommunications policy and his equally deep commitment to ensuring openness and competition have made him a national leader in building America’s high-tech economy and creating jobs. He is a powerful champion for net neutrality, public broadcasting and improving access to technology for the disabled.
Ed has focused on strengthening homeland security in the areas of nuclear, air and maritime cargo, liquified natural gas and chemical security. Ed is the Congressional leader on nonproliferation, leading the nuclear freeze movement and continuing to spearhead efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. He is also a tireless voice for increased investments in health research to find cures for Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and other deadly diseases.

Why am I running?

Now more than ever, we need strong voices in the Senate to fight for the issues that will move this country forward. If voters from the great state of Massachusetts give me the privilege of serving them in the Senate, I will work to expand opportunities for all Americans and fight to protect our basic rights.

For example, we must ensure basic safety by reducing gun violence. I'll go to the Senate ready to get assault weapons, like the ones used in Aurora and Newtown, off our streets. I will be a clear and consistent supporter of a woman's right to choose and block any attempt to restrict access to health care. Discrimination has no place in great democracy. That’s why I will fight for fairness in the workplace to close the wage gap between men and women and I’ll support marriage equality by voting to repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act that discriminates against same-sex couples. I'll also be ready with legislation to fight climate change to unleash the green revolution. Investing in clean-tech and green energy will create thousands of jobs around the country.

I'm running for Senate to be a strong voice on those issues so we can move this country forward.

My Goals

Social Security and Medicare are vital parts of our country’s social safety net and must be preserved. This issue has an added immediacy because Congress has been deadlocked on the so-called sequester, which would make deep cuts in these programs that millions of Americans rely on. I will fight to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security from any cuts or benefit reductions that would harm Americans who depend on these critical programs because I believe everyone deserves to have a secure retirement.

I’m also deeply committed to supporting the creation of quality, high paying jobs – especially in growing industries like clean energy and bio-tech. I believe our country has unlimited potential in creating green energy if we make the proper investments in education to spark new ideas and technologies, reform our immigration system to allow students who are educated here to innovate here, and upgrade our infrastructure to make sure entrepreneurs have the foundational support they need to start small businesses. In addition, I have been a leading advocate for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which plays a critical role in supporting 435,000 jobs across the country (including 34,000 in Massachusetts), growing the economy, and providing hope to millions of Americans suffering from disease and illness.

My DFA Values

My life’s work in Congress has revolved around expanding opportunities for all Americans so they have the care, the tools and the support they need to thrive. To me, that’s what strong communities are all about.

But we won’t make progress when our basic security needs aren’t met. In Congress, I’ve worked to protect our country from the threat of global warming and nuclear proliferation. I drafted legislation that would simultaneously combat climate change, reduce our reliance on foreign oil and create thousands of clean energy jobs here in America. Since the start of my career in Congress, I’ve reached out the international community to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons. And I support cuts in the Defense budget that are wasteful, redundant and are, in many ways, still funding a Cold War mentality.

I believe progress is possible when Americans are afforded the opportunity of a quality education. I was proud to work on legislation called E-Rate that provided assistance for schools and libraries to get Internet access in the classroom. And I’ve voted against cuts to education, like Pell grants that help students get their college degree. We have unlimited potential for innovation and creativity, when people are free to live the way they choose. That’s why I’m in full support of marriage equality and have co-sponsored several bills to put a stop to discrimination in the workplace, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

In Congress, I’ve always been guided by the American Dream – the dream that in this country, if you commit to the hard work it takes to move this country forward, you will also share in its prosperity. I believe it’s our greatest responsibility to keep alive the American dream for future generations.

My Campaign is People Powered!

In just a few short weeks, the Ed Markey for Senate organization has built a volunteer field organization that is statewide in scope.

• We have been very encouraged by the overwhelming show of support for Ed's candidacy.

• Grassroots leaders and activists on the campaign are inspired by Ed's passion on issues like the gun control, equal rights, the environment and and standing up to the special interests.

• Many of the volunteers in who worked for Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama are now inspired to work for Ed and are giving their time and energy to the campaign.

• We're giving volunteer leaders throughout the state clear roles and responsibilities, including responsibility for organizing in an entire region.

• The campaign is using a number of different tactics with organizers, including local team meetings, online training, 1-1 meetings, and conference calls.

• The campaign is also using statewide conference calls to give leaders the opportunity to talk directly with Ed.

• For example, the signature gathering push over the last few weeks has been energizing. We've had hundreds of volunteers in all corners of the Commonwealth collecting signatures. Just this past weekend we held more than 100 signature gathering events throughout the state and have exceeded all of our goals for gathering names.

Voice support

About the Endorsement Process

The driving force behind all DFA endorsements is our members. We recognize that all politics is local and that what is considered progressive in Los Angeles may be very different from what's considered progressive in Louisville. For this reason, DFA does not have a litmus test of specific progressive positions for which a candidate must stand. Our endorsement is heavily weighted based on these questions:

• Will the candidate move the progressive movement forward in their community?
• Does the candidate have substantial support from our local members?
• Do the candidate's positions and policies fit into the broader progressive movement?
• Is the campaign people-powered and the candidate working to win?

If you have questions, or want to let us know about a candidate in your neighborhood, please call us at (802) 651-3200 or email us at [email protected] .